Does anyone have any experience with a GCM upgrade.

Lovells Springs say they can increase the GCM on my BT50 to 7000kg.

Full certification for Australia wide use included.

Looking for members who may have had any experience with this or anything similar.

Thanks iana.

That was my understanding also till I emailed Lovells.

Their reply was quite specific - GCM to 7000kg.

I am a little sceptical which is why I have posted here.

I think I am going to have to try to get a copy of the Lovells documentation and take it to the RTA.

Hi Iana - that information is not correct. There are a number of vehicles which can now have a GCM upgrade applied. One example:

info.kimberleykruiser.com/prado-150-gx-and-gxl-owners-can-now-tow-a-3000-kg-off-road-caravan/ (Prado GCM upgraded by 500kg's, max towbar download increased by 50kg, max tow rating increased from 2500kg to 3000kg)

I have recently read of LC200 GXL owners who have had GCM upgraded by 150kg, which facilitated a GVM upgrade of 150kg while still retaining the full 3500kg tow rating. Unfortunately I am not in a position to search for that discussion at the moment.

I seem to recall that the only way the GCM upgrade can be applied is to BRAND NEW UNREGISTERED vehicles. Once a vehicle is registered, the GCM cannot be changed. (GVM by contrast, CAN be changed after initial rego - just some hoops to jump through).

I also seem to recall a similar discussion recently on a BT50 which had a GCM upgrade - but again - it was a new, unregistered vehicle with GCM upgrade applied prior to initial registration. And that is was Lovells who did the upgrade also rings a bell for some reason...

I hope it goes without saying that since I have chosen to not provide supporting information regarding the LC200 and BT50 upgrades, my claims are not verified and should be taken at face value only.  These are only what "I seem to recall" and obviously, my recollection might not be as accurate as I would like to think it is!  Regardless, the Prado upgrade on offer shows that it IS technically and legally possible - and for not much money.

It would seem that there is not much expertise on the forum on this subject.

If for instance you are pulled over and weighed, where do the authorities get their information from? under the registration details of your vehicle, or do they look at generic figures that apply to that model. How would you prove that your vehicle has had a GCM upgrade?

Macca this is not about tow ball weights or all up weights and loading of each vehicle, it is about the combined "all up" mass of the rig.

iana wrote:

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If for instance you are pulled over and weighed, where do the authorities get their information from? under the registration details of your vehicle, or do they look at generic figures that apply to that model. How would you prove that your vehicle has had a GVM upgrade?
<snip>

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The new weight details are shown on a compliance plate which is fitted when the vehicle is modified.  That new compliance place - which includes the revised weight figures - is a requirement for the approval (the vehicle can NOT have it's weight ratings increased UNLESS a new compliance plate is fitted as part of the modifications).  THAT is where the authorities get their information.   The new compliance plate is a legal document.

siana wrote:

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Leonaot, I would be most interested in the results, of your research, my source was Pedders suspension, Mazda Australia, and the Mazda dealer.

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That Pedders Suspension did not know (or more accurately, did not TELL you) about GCM upgrades is not surprising.  They are not what I would regard as "experts" in the engineering, modification and compliance field - they are a chain store.  Lovells on the other hand are a manufacturer of components (Pedders buy their parts from wholesale manufacturers), and provide vehicle modification AND engineering approval services.  Pedders provide a GVM upgrade - and of course that is all they want to sell you - one of THEIR GVM upgrades.

That Mazda Australia did not know - again, not surprising depending on who you talked to.  Did you speak to an engineer qualified and experienced in aftermarket modifications and compliance approval processes, or a level 1 service desk mort whose job it is to field phone calls? 

That the dealer didn't know?  No surprises there either.  Motor vehicle dealers commonly provide consumers with misleading (and often blatantly illegal) information - such as "you can't fit a bulbar, it will void your warranty".

(apologies - had to edit this a few times to correct typos as I seem to have dyslexic fingers today)

-- Edited by ants_oz on Wednesday 11th of January 2017 09:17:23 AM

-- Edited by ants_oz on Wednesday 11th of January 2017 09:29:09 AM

-- Edited by ants_oz on Wednesday 11th of January 2017 09:29:33 AM

-- Edited by ants_oz on Wednesday 11th of January 2017 09:30:09 AM

I am not aware of light vehicles getting GCM upgrades after market.
It is done with heavy vehicles and our OKA is an example.
This is a modification plate referred to by Anthony. Both GVM and GCM were increased as well as some seating mods. and the approval and rating of a DIY towbar and other matters.

Cheers,

Peter

Gday...

Perhaps all should take the time to read this site -

http://www.statewide4x4.com.au/gvm-products/faqs.aspx

I have snipped these bits of info from that site .... BUT STILL READ THE WHOLE SITE -

Cheers - John

Hi everyone,

This has obviously been lost in the body of a previous post: there is at least one current example of aftermarket GCM upgrade on a light vehicle:

info.kimberleykruiser.com/prado-150-gx-and-gxl-owners-can-now-tow-a-3000-kg-off-road-caravan/

150 series Prado GCM upgraded by 500kg's, max towball weight upgraded by 50kg to 300kg, max towing weight upgraded by 500kg from 2500kg to 3000kg.  Can be fitted to new (unregistered) or already registered vehicles.

Edit - It must be noted that for this particular upgrade, the GVM remains unchanged!  That is a polar opposite to the numerous GVM upgrades on the market for things like dual cab utes, which increase the GVM but leave the GCM unchanged.

Hi all we are waiting for a phone call this morning to say our new 200 series is ready for pickup ,with the
3.8 GVM upgrade plus 4t tow kit which when done will have a CVM of 7800
This is being installed in Perth useing Lovells springs .
I have seen the new compliant plate .
After reading the above posts including the different opinions
I must say I'm a little confused so I will keep you all informed
It's not a cheap option but I will be legal
Dhutime

I'd like to see Toyota's legal\engineering opinion

of those weight limits on that chassis and components.
Specially with a new veh and it's warranty.

I't's About bloody time a decent capacity veh was on our market.

Without reverting to trucks.

Also. when people change front seats (I did)
or permanently remove rear two. I did that too.
They illegal without fresh compliance plate from authorized body.
I had to reinstall rear two to get roadworthy on Patrol to sell.

As it was. a 5 seater with 7 seat plate. a big no no.

iana wrote:

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So if you don't have a "Modification"plate, how to the fellows weighing your rig know the combined mass of your vehicle?
Do they use the generic weights from some computer, look up your rego details or what?

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Pretty easily I would have thought:

 

Dhutime wrote:

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Yep all done 2016 200 series Landcruiser new compliance plate fitted
<snip>

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That's a good looking set of numbers.

Are you able to advise what sort of documentation you got, or better still post copies of the 

documentation for us all to read?

Leonaot wrote:

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That's a good looking set of numbers.

Are you able to advise what sort of documentation you got, or better still post copies of the 

documentation for us all to read?

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All   approval documents confirm what's on the compliance plate 

Federal and state approved.

As far as warranty is concerned Toyota will warrant the vehicle but not any second stage upgrade which is covered by in our case Lovells.